Eye Shadow, Foundation, Blush, and Face Powder Products — safety profile
High riskEye shadow contains cadmium — IARC Group 1 carcinogen.
What is this product?
Eye shadow contains cadmium — IARC Group 1 carcinogen. The pigments that give eye shadow its shimmer and color come from minerals and synthetic compounds mined with heavy metal contamination.
What's in it
Click any compound name for its full safety profile, regulatory consensus, and exposure data.
Base ingredients
Contaminant
Who's most at risk
- Pregnant Women — Daily application; cadmium accumulates in kidneys (20-30yr half-life); inhalation from powder application
- Children — Play with cosmetics; mica mining also involves child labor concerns
How to use it more safely
- Apply only to clean, intact skin and avoid broken areas
- Perform patch test 24 hours before first use
- Use clean applicators or brushes to prevent contamination
- Remove completely before sleeping using gentle cleanser
Red flags — when to walk away
- Contains known carcinogens — Cadmium, Talc with potential asbestos contaminati — classified by IARC or NTP as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to humans
Green flags — what to look for
- EWG Verified or similar third-party certification — Independently verified for ingredient safety
Safer alternatives
- Mineral-based makeup (talc-free) — Reduced respiratory risk; hypoallergenic formula
- Certified organic face cosmetics — Fewer synthetic chemicals and heavy metals
- Liquid foundation or cream blush — Lower inhalation risk compared to powder formulations
Frequently asked questions
What's in Eye Shadow, Foundation, Blush, and Face Powder Products?
This product type can contain: Talc or silica powder base, Heavy metal pigment contaminants (Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, As), among others. Click any compound name above for the full safety profile.
Who should be careful with Eye Shadow, Foundation, Blush, and Face Powder Products?
Vulnerable populations identified for this product type: pregnant women, children.
How can I use Eye Shadow, Foundation, Blush, and Face Powder Products more safely?
Apply only to clean, intact skin and avoid broken areas; Perform patch test 24 hours before first use; Use clean applicators or brushes to prevent contamination
Are there safer alternatives to Eye Shadow, Foundation, Blush, and Face Powder Products?
Yes — consider: Mineral-based makeup (talc-free); Certified organic face cosmetics; Liquid foundation or cream blush. See the Safer alternatives section above for details.
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Open in body View raw API dataReference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific information. Why we built ALETHEIA →